Necktie item holder and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A neckwear apparatus including a body portion including a front side and a rear side and a receptacle disposed on the body portion, wherein the receptacle is defined by opposing right and left side-walls, a front face and a bottom side, a surface of the receptacle includes a transparent portion.

RELATED CASES

This application is based upon and claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/791,828 filed on Apr. 13, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a necktie item holder, and more particularly, to a necktie including a convenient storage feature.

2. Description of the Related Art

Neckties are worn by millions of people all over the world. Societies have associated the necktie with a higher degree of professionalism, thereby becoming an essential part of proper business attire. In addition, neckties, such as ascots, bolas, bow ties, etc., have become a part of fashion trends for both men and women.

Over the decades, the necktie has evolved from a common bow tie during the 19^(th) century to the more complex ascot tie during the 1880's, and even more so in the 1940's with the development of the bola tie.

Although the necktie design has somewhat evolved over the years, the underlying design premise, to enhance an aesthetic appeal of the wearer, has remained constant. FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of a conventional neckwear apparatus of the prior art. As illustrated, the neckwear apparatus 1 includes a body portion 2 formed from at least one section of fabric, such that a front surface (not shown) and a back surface 3 are relatively smooth. The neckwear apparatus 1 may include a loop (not shown), in which to insert one end of the body portion, and a label (not shown) disposed on the back surface. The conventional neckwear apparatus 1 is free from any additional structural features or components.

Undoubtedly, improvements and advancements in technology have led to the miniaturization of complex electronic devices. Just a few years ago, phones, radios, compact disc players, etc. were typically household items because of their large size. Now, these same household luxuries such as cellular phones, music players, voice recorders, etc., have become portable necessities for many consumers.

However, as consumers accumulate more and more of these portable electronic devices and other such items, the amount of locations in which these devices can be conveniently stored, used and recharged, are reduced. Thus, consumers have a limited number of pockets within which to simultaneously store and use a multitude of essential items.

Thus, in order to resolve the abovementioned problems, what is needed is a convenient apparatus, in which these essential items may be stored, used and recharged.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a neckwear apparatus including a concealed receptacle for storage and use of items disposed therein.

The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a neckwear apparatus including a concealed receptacle for storage and use of items disposed therein.

In an exemplary embodiment, a neckwear apparatus includes a body portion including a front side and a rear side and a receptacle disposed on the body portion, wherein the receptacle is defined by opposing right and left side-walls, a front face and a bottom side, a surface of the receptacle includes a transparent portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method of manufacturing a neckwear apparatus includes forming a body portion including a front side and a rear side and disposing a receptacle on the body portion, wherein the receptacle is defined by opposing right and left side-walls, a front face and a bottom side, a surface of the receptacle includes a transparent portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of a conventional neckwear apparatus of the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of an exemplary embodiment of a neckwear apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the neckwear apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the neckwear apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a back view of an exemplary embodiment of a neckwear apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of an exemplary embodiment of a neckwear apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention now will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated. This invention may, however, be embodied in many other different forms and should not be considered as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth below. These exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Additionally, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout all exemplary embodiments.

When an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

In addition, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another elements as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower”, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending of the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of an exemplary embodiment of a neckwear apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the neckwear apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the neckwear apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the exemplary neckwear apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a body portion 10 and a receptacle 20 disposed thereon. The receptacle 20 may be disposed on a front side or on a rear side of the body portion 10. In exemplary embodiments, the receptacle 20 may be disposed adjacent to a top portion of the body portion 10 or a bottom portion of the body portion 10. The front side may be substantially opposite to the rear side of the body portion 10.

The receptacle 20 includes opposing right and left side-walls 30 and 40, respectively, a bottom side 50 and a front wall 80 including a front face 60. The receptacle 20 includes a cavity 90 defined by the opposing right and left side-walls 30 and 40, respectively, the bottom side 50, and the front wall 80.

Items may be disposed within the cavity 90 for storage and for use. In exemplary embodiments, the items may include wedding rings, electronic devices (e.g., an iPod™, cell phones, beepers, biological monitors), business cards, prophylactics, money, but are not limited thereto.

In exemplary embodiments, the neckwear apparatus 100 may further include a cover 70 disposed substantially opposite and parallel to the bottom side 50. Items disposed within the cavity 90 may be substantially held in place or prevented from escaping the cavity 90 by the cover 70. The cover 70 may be formed of a substantially similar material as that of the receptacle 20. In exemplary embodiments, the cover 70 may further include a vent, through which light, heat, sound or air may be expelled to an exterior environment.

In the current exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 20 includes a width dimension less than or equal to a width dimension of the body portion 10. In exemplary embodiments, the receptacle 20 may include a width dimension greater than or equal to a width dimension of the body portion 10.

The receptacle 20 may be formed of a continuous section of a material. In the current exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 20 and the body portion 10 are formed of the same material. However, in exemplary embodiments, the receptacle 20 may be formed from any material conventionally known in the art, such as fabrics including natural fibers or synthetic fibers.

In alternative exemplary embodiments, the receptacle 20 may be rigidly framed. In further exemplary embodiments, the receptacle 20 may be formed within the body portion 10. That is, the receptacle 20 may be formed integrally within an inner portion of the body portion 10.

In exemplary embodiments, the receptacle 20 may be removable from the body portion 10. In further exemplary embodiments, the receptacle 20 may be attached to the body portion 10 by Velcro™, buttons, snaps, stitching, other fasteners conventionally known in the art or other similar fastening methods.

FIG. 5 illustrates a back view of another exemplary embodiment of a neckwear apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of still another exemplary embodiment of a neckwear apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in exemplary embodiments, the body portion 10 may include a power supply 120 for which to re-charge items disposed within the cavity 90. The power supply 120 may be electrically connected with an electrical port to which devices disposed within the cavity 90 may be electrically connected.

The front face 60 of the receptacle 20 is formed substantially parallel to the body portion 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the front face 60 is formed to include a transparent portion 80, through which the contents disposed within the cavity 90 are visible.

The transparent portion 80 may be formed of a thermoplastic material. The transparent portion 80 includes a width dimension equal to or less than a width dimension of the receptacle 20. The transparent portion may include a thickness of about 0.005 inches to about 0.75″ inches.

In further exemplary embodiments, the contents within the cavity 90 can be operable or manipulated through the transparent portion 80. That is, the items disposed within the cavity 90 may be used and/or electrically recharged while remaining disposed within the cavity 90. In exemplary embodiments, the transparent portion 80 may be formed of a material which provides adequate sensitivity from an outer surface of the transparent portion 80 to an inner portion of the transparent portion in contact with items within the cavity 90. In an exemplary embodiment, an item including a touch-sensitive device may be operated by touching the outer surface of the transparent portion 80. 

1. A neckwear apparatus comprising: a body portion including a front side and a rear side; and a receptacle disposed on the body portion, wherein the receptacle is defined by opposing right and left side-walls, a front face and a bottom side, a surface of the receptacle includes a transparent portion.
 2. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein a cavity is defined by the opposing right and left side-walls, the front face and the bottom side.
 3. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is detachably disposed on the rear side of the body portion.
 4. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transparent portion is disposed on the front side of the receptacle.
 5. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transparent portion is formed of a thermoplastic material.
 6. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transparent portion includes a width dimension substantially equal to a width dimension of the receptacle.
 7. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the neckwear apparatus further comprises a power supply in electrical communication with the receptacle.
 8. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle further comprises a cover attached to an inner side of the cavity, the cover encloses the cavity thereby securing items disposed therein.
 9. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body portion includes a length of about 2 feet to about 4.25 feet.
 10. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is connected by an attachment means capable of detachment.
 11. The neckwear apparatus of claim 10, wherein the attachment means is one of permanent attachment means, semi-permanent attachment means, or non-permanent attachment means.
 12. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a rigid portion.
 13. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein an inner portion of the receptacle includes a vent.
 14. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle further comprises a cover to secure contents within the receptacle.
 15. The neckwear apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cover is secured to the receptacle by one of mechanically, magnetically, or by Velcro™.
 16. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is disposed substantially within the body portion.
 17. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a width substantially equal to the width of the body portion.
 18. The neckwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a length substantially equal to a length of the body portion.
 19. A method of manufacturing a neckwear apparatus, the method comprising: forming a body portion including a front side and a rear side disposed substantially opposite the front side; and disposing a receptacle on the body portion, wherein the receptacle is defined by opposing right and left side-walls, a front face and a bottom side, a surface of the receptacle includes a transparent portion.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the transparent portion is formed of a thermoplastic material. 